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Saturday, July 02, 2005

I wish President Bartlet was the real President of America

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President Bush’s administration policies have been whacked left right and centre by the anti-Bush supporters. The worst has been his decisions in Iraq. Let’s look at this “president” - from the series "The West Wing" created by Aaron Sorkin (picture source: http://www.richardsilverstein.com)

The scene:-

The atmosphere was electric. The president of the United States, President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) was about to address a gathering of radio talk show hosts in the White House. As the president entered the hall, they all stood and applauded. All, that is, except one — a woman with strikingly blond hair, wearing a bright green suit. At first, her presence rattled the president. He lost his train of thought several times before he finally spoke directly to the sitting talk show host.

President Bartlet: Forgive me Dr. Jacobs, are you an M.D.?

Jenna Jacobs: A Ph.D.

President Bartlet: A Ph.D.?

Jenna Jacobs: Yes, sir.

President Bartlet: Psychology?

Jenna Jacobs: No sir.

President Bartlet: Theology?

Jenna Jacobs: No.

President Bartlet: Social work?

Jenna Jacobs: No. I have a Ph.D. in English literature.

President Bartlet: I'm asking 'cause on your show, people call in for advice, and you go by the name of "Dr." Jacobs on your show, and I didn't know if maybe your listeners were confused by that and assumed you had advanced training in psychology, theology or health care.

Jenna Jacobs: I don't believe they are confused, no, sir.

President Bartlet: I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality an abomination.

President Bartlet: "Chapter and verse. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I have you here.

I'm interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. She's a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, always cleared the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be?

While thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff Leo McGarry insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or is it okay to call the police?

Here's one that's really important because we've got a lot of sports fans in this town: touching the skin of a dead pig makes one unclean. Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point?

Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother John for planting different crops side by side?

Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads?

Think about that, will you?

Oh, and one last thing. You may have mistaken this for your meeting of the ignorant tight-asses club but in this building, when the President stands, nobody sits".